Editorial Review: “Lightning” by Michael Ray Ewing

Michael Ray Ewing’s Lightning is an action-packed sci-fi thriller that is bound to send chills up your spine. 

Review

Lightning is a mind-bending sci-fi thriller penned by Michael Ray Ewing. 

Adam Barnett is a rising star in the world of mountain biking. Even though he is located in a small town in Arizona, his custom designs have made his bike shop well-known in the industry. Adam’s life takes a drastic turn when he goes to test a new mountain bike in the Hawes Trails. He gets struck by lightning and wakes up in an isolated mining camp with huge gaps in his memory. To his astonishment, he finds himself in the company of a dog who seems to have an above-average intelligence. He senses a malevolent presence as well. Adam’s brother, James, also finds himself in an unusual predicament. While fishing on the morning of his ex-wife’s wedding, he witnesses a woman being thrown into the water. He saves her. Together, they flee her attackers. The woman he saved, Monica, has secrets of her own. We also meet Victoria Stewart, a woman who literally came back from the dead thanks to her friend, Monica, and her work in Biodosius Labs, the same facility where a horrific massacre takes place. Major Blain Jacobson is sent to investigate the carnage at Biodosius. He quickly understands that something strange is going on. 

How are Adam, Monica, Victoria, and Jacobson related? What is going on in Biodosius? Does it have something to do with the nightmarish presence felt by Adam? 

Ewing is a master storyteller. He seamlessly blends different genres like sci-fi, thriller, and horror to craft his masterpiece. I was literally on the edge of my seat till the end. Ewing highlights to us the pros and cons of genetic engineering. He points out the pitfalls of playing God and tampering with His creations. 

Michael Ray Ewing has a vivid writing style. His use of imagery made me visualize the wild beauty of Arizona. Ewing’s writing style is both descriptive and fast-paced. He paints a realistic picture of the milieu and literally teleports us to the characters’ lives. At the same time, he does not compromise with the pace of the story. I applaud the author for this rare feat. 

Lightning has a great cast of characters. Adam has a troubled past that continues haunting him. With all his daredevil ways, in his heart, he is a family man whose priority is his family. I love his bond with his niece, Bailey. Adam’s relationship with Kate is one of my favorite aspects of this book. It is sweetly romantic and adds a different flavor to this otherwise dark thriller. Kate is a wonderful woman whose inner strength impressed me a lot. Victoria is a woman with an iron heart. She has fought through everything life has thrown at her. Her quest to survive and live a normal life is praiseworthy. Monica is amazing as well. I love how we slowly get to uncover her secrets. McDermott, O’Dell, Day, and  Riya Kumar are all grey characters with multiple layers to unpeel. The motivations behind their actions are not simple. I have to say that my favorite character is Mop. The dog really made a special place in my heart.

Overall, I truly enjoyed Michael Ray Ewing’s Lightning. It is unique and fast-paced. Full of action and drama with a dash of romance and horror, Lightning is a must-read for all fans of sci-fi thrillers. 

Book Details

• Title: Lightning
• Author: Michael Ray Ewing
• Genre: Sci-Fi Thriller
• Theme: Action, Drama, Horror, Romance, Family
• Publication Date: April 2, 2026
• ISBN or ASIN: B0G1VTVZ24
• Number of Pages: 382
• Minimum Audience Age: 12

About the Author

Michael Ray Ewing is a mountain biker and a network engineer whose work has received industry recognition. Living and riding in Arizona informs his fiction, which focuses on people facing extreme crises.

Book Themes

(Note: 0=none, 1=a few, 2=considerable, 3=pronounced, 4=excessive)

• Sexual themes: 1
• Religious themes: 0
• Violence, self-harm, etc.: 3
• Crude language, expletives, swearing, etc.: 2
• Other adult themes: 0

Rating

• Content: 5 stars
• Writing Style: 5 stars
• Appeal to Target Audience: 5 stars
• Uniqueness: 5 stars
• Editing: 4 stars
• Other factors: 5 stars
• Overall: 4.83 out of 5

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